Submit Applications for Agri Innovation Challenge (India)

Within the broader purview of food loss, agri residue waste is a hyper-local challenge, requiring solutions specific to geography and produce type. In the current Indian landscape, farmers have limited access to opportunities to unlock value from this waste at the grassroots level. Through the ‘Hyperpure by Zomato Agri Innovation Challenge,’ they invite startups and innovators to tackle this issue with them.

Objectives

• The objective of the Agri Innovation Challenge is to promote two-dimensional innovation, which is:
  • Reduce environmental harm from waste – by mitigating or avoiding emissions, soil contamination, inefficient disposal practices and landfill dependency.
  • Generate economic value from waste – by repurposing organic waste into sustainable, revenue-generating applications locally.

Themes

• Waste Valorization
• Waste Reduction at Source

Problem Statement

• Unlocking Value at the Grassroots
  • Agricultural residue waste and substandard produce are unavoidable byproducts of the complex agri supply chain, with regional and seasonal factors influencing the quantity and type of waste generated, thus making the problem hyperlocal in nature. The composition of this waste often includes green leafy vegetables, root crops, fruits, and other perishable items. This waste, if not effectively managed, can contribute to environmental concerns, unnecessary disposal costs, and lost economic potential. Through the ‘Hyperpure by Zomato Agri Innovation Challenge,’ they invite startups and innovators to help discover and design scalable solutions to
    • Reduce environmental harm – by mitigating or avoiding emissions, soil contamination, inefficient disposal practices, and landfill dependency
    • Generate economic value – by repurposing organic waste into sustainable, revenue-generating applications locally
  • ‘Agricultural residue waste’ in this context refers to the part of the specific fruit or vegetable that is unfit for consumption or sale, such as peels, stems, leaves, or other byproducts left over after harvesting or processing, which are typically discarded despite their potential for value-addition.
  • ‘Substandard Produce’ refers to fruits and vegetables rejected from retail due to size, shape, texture, or cosmetic imperfections but still suitable for consumption or alternative uses. This includes blemished, misshapen, or non-uniform produce that remains safe for consumption or processing.

Benefits

• Top 5 finalists receive mentorship from senior leads at Hyperpure by Zomato and an opportunity to mutually assess and work on selected sites with their solutions for a month.
• Out of the top 5, the best 2 solutions will receive the opportunity to partner with Hyperpure by Zomato to run a pilot through a mutually beneficial agreement. Additional benefits will include:
  • Recognition in the form of a certificate from Hyperpure by Zomato
  • PR and promotional benefits associated with the challenge

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to all start-ups registered on the startup India portal.
• Solutions must specifically address post-harvest wastage (residual agri waste and substandard produce) to champion:
  • Waste Valorization: Solutions/ innovations to convert fruit and vegetable waste into value-added products
  • Waste Reduction at Source: Systems/ innovations to convert fruit and vegetable waste into value-added products.
• Solutions that are tested and ready-to-scale with a market presence of at least two years will be given preference

For more information, visit Sayuj.